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Merson: I'm gambling again
Jul 5 2004
Soccer star Paul Merson has admitted that his gambling problems have returned but denied he was betting tens of thousands of pounds a day.
The Walsall player/manager (pictured) has fought a 20-year addiction to alcohol, drugs and betting that have driven him to the brink of suicide.
Former Villa, Arsenal and England player Merson, 36, has reportedly been losing up to £200,000 a month on events like Euro 2004 and Wimbledon, and even baseball and basketball, according to newspaper reports.
In a statement he said: "Regarding the story printed today in one of the Sunday papers, I have to admit that I regressed into gambling during the summer.
"I now have this situation back under control. I do have to say that some of the figures leaked from my account with the bookmaker Stan James are total fabrication or have been hugely exaggerated for effect.
"I am now taking legal advice on this matter."
In the 1989-90 season at Arsenal, Merson was banned from Highbury for two weeks amid reports of drinking and gambling debts.
In November 1994, he confessed he had a cocaine habit. He entered an addiction unit and was released six weeks later on the condition he attended outpatient therapy and support groups.
The Football Association later said cocaine was not his main problem - it was drinking and gambling.
Last year Merson confessed he had kicked the drink and drugs problems but was still haunted by gambling.
"I've stayed away from drink and drugs but gambling has beat me, spanked me all over the place," he said.
"This is one of the biggest killers in the world. Every day it would go through my head about committing suicide."
Merson went to America earlier this year to undergo a programme of treatment and rehabilitation for his addictions.
